Germany Bavaria

Bavaria is Germany’s largest state and includes almost the whole of the German Alps. All central European alpine species can be observed here and the large and varied types of wetland contribute to the abundant bird life in the state.

Almost all good birding areas in Southern Bavaria can be covered individually on a day’s excursion from the state capital Munich. The Starnberger See, Chiemsee and Ammersee are always attractive destinations in winter and in spring and summer a day’s hike in the mountains is worthwhile. Birding sites which can be reached in less than an hour’s drive from Munich are the Ismaniger, Moosburger and Echinger reservoirs and the lakes Ammersee and Starnberger See.

Those wanting to have a more exhaustive insight into Bavaria’s bird life are advised to visit the following birdwatching sites:

* One of the 3 large alpine regions. As alpine species are not easy ‘ticks’ several days are required for each of the regions (Allgaeu, the North Tyrolean Limestone Alps and the Karwendel Mountains and parts of the Salzburg Limestone Alps in the Berchtesgaden region). Some of the areas described are not reachable in winter or winter clothing and mountaineering equipment is required. The best time for the upper regions is from May to July.

* One of the large lakes in the alpine foothills. Seasonal - Chiemsee in summer or Starnberger See in winter.

* The Murnauer Moos which is a good half or full day tour in June when Common Rosefinch and Corncrake are present.

* A large river valley such as the Lower Inn, the Danube near Aholfing or the Donaumoos near Guenzburg. These areas are mainly interesting in the breeding and migration seasons; in winter there is less to see.

Top Sites

This extensive area covering some 900 km², essentially the Allgaeu Alps Massif, provides opportunities for week-long hiking and birdwatching trips. The trip selection on this site gives access to almost all northern alpine and subalpine bird species. A small selection of interesting birds includes Golden Eagle, Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Three-toed Woodpecker, Nutcracker and Bonelli's Warbler.

The Starnberger See’s little brother from an ornithological point of view. It offers a similarly interesting selection of passage and wintering species. The extensive dried-up and low bog areas in the south (Ammermoos) and north (Ampermoos), as well as mixed woodland in the west, add to the habitat variety of the area.

Bavaria’s largest lake covering 8,500 hectares. Together with the surrounding moorland and the nearby mountains, the Chiemsee is one of the areas in the state most abundant in birds with some 300 species recorded since 1950. Some 40 % of the shoreline is still in a near-natural state. In winter up to 40,000 birds have been recorded on this RAMSAR site. Best during spring and autumn migration and in winter. Sedge Warbler, Savi's Warbler and Great Reed Warbler breed on the shoreline and Hobby, Honey Buzzard, Stonechat and Common Rosefinch in the surrounding moorland

An important rest area for migrants. In spite of the extensive manmade changes to the Rhine bed in this area it is still very good for birding. For observation of the long stretch of dyke a bicycle is recommended but selected points can be covered in a day tour by car. In addition to a great variety of species and rarities on migration, breeding birds include Water Rail, Bluethroat, River Warbler, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole, Collared Flycatcher and in recent years also Night Heron, Great Egret and Black-winged Stilt.

These reservoirs on the central stretch of the River Isar between Moosburg and Landshut, with 250 recorded species, offer a broad spectrum of wader, duck, rail and other water bird species in the course of a few hours during spring (April-June) and autumn (August-November) migration. Large numbers of ducks in winter.

This area, covering a vast 1,000 km², comprises the massif of the Ammer, Ester and Wetterstein mountains as well as the Karwendel. Birding opportunities are countless and during a two week tour the same place need not be visited twice. Good access to the region is assured by a network of lifts, cable cars and trails. All northern alpine species can be observed. Best birds include White-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker, Citril Finch and grouse species. The woodpeckers and grouse need working for. Don’t forget that the winter lingers much longer in the mountains as in the lowlands

The lake lies some 70km south of Munich near the Alps. The south end of the lake is surrounded by mountains whereas the northerly part lies in the foothills and is surrounded by moorland. Breeding birds include Black Kite, Marsh and Montagu’s Harrier, Common Snipe, Short-eared Owl. Grey-headed Woodpecker, Bluethroat, Whinchat, Red-backed and Great Grey Shrike

The Mohrhofweiher area is part of an extensive fishpond complex. When they are drained in autumn they are good feeding grounds for migrants. Over 250 species have been recorded, speciality breeding birds being Black-necked, Grebe, Little Bittern and Bluethroat.

This area is well known as the best site for Corncrake and Common Rosefinch. Covering some 4,200 hectares it is one of the largest intact bog areas in Central Europe and an important area for ground breeders in Bavaria. The area, with its characteristic meadows and the magnificent Alps as backdrop, is best explored for a whole or half a day on foot or bicycle on the well-maintained tracks. Best from mid-May to mid-June for the interesting breeding birds of the region.

Although a large area covering some 240 km² only some 100 species breed in the region and just 150 species in total have been recorded. Good physical condition is required to see most of the breeding alpine species which make up the bird life. Heavy snowfall is not unusual in April and large tracts of the region are still snow-covered in May. A stay of several days is recommended to see a large number of alpine species. Interesting birds include Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine, Ptarmigan, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Tengmalm's Owl, Pygmy Owl, Black, Green, Grey-headed, White-backed- und Three-toed Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Water Pipit, Alpine Accentor, Ring Ouzel, Bonelli's Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Dipper, Wallcreeper (rare), Nutcracker, Raven, Alpine Chough, Snow Finch

A RAMSAR site of international importance with winter water bird populations of up to 20,000 birds. The south shore of the lake is probably the best place in Germany (apart from the coast) to see divers and sea ducks between October and April. A very full winter day’s birding.

The Europa reserve is one of the best birding areas in Bavaria and a RAMSAR site with over 300 species recorded. The extensive stretches of water, mudflats and reed beds and riverine woodland provide a great variety of species. Good for woodpeckers in March and April and song birds in May and June. A good full day’s birding but more time is required to explore the various river stretches in detail.

Useful Information

Organisations

The Dachverband Deutscher Avifaunisten e.V. (DDA) is an umbrella organisation for all German avifaunists. The website contains a wealth of information about the DDA and its monitoring programmes. Here you will find advice and information on bird registration and recording projects, some initial results and completed publications, details of competent local contacts or up to date avifaunistic information and schedules.
(translation by David Conlin translations@david-conlin.de)

Society for species and habitat protection in the province of Bavaria. Takes the place of NABU in the province (The Bavarians always do their own thing). Their emblem is the Kingfisher instead of the White Stork…

Reserves

The first man-made dam in the Middle Franconian lake district. Flooded in 1985. The Middle Franconian lake district is a major project by the province of Bavaria; primarily to provide water resources but which, through the provision of recreational facilities, has developed into an important tourist resource.

(English- French – German) Not particularly comprehensive – mainly for general tourism but has useful information. There is also a birdwatching page (in German) at http://www.biosphaerenreservat-rhoen.de/frame_vogel.html

Trip Reports

CloudBirders was created by a group of Belgian world birding enthusiasts and went live on 21st of March 2013. They provide a large and growing database of birding trip reports, complemented with extensive search, voting and statistical features.

Upon leaving Augsburg, our first port of call was to be the Falkenwand or Falcon Wall which is located between Oberammergau and Ettal a few miles north of Garmisch. Upon doing a bit of research, I found that this place was known to harbour Wallcreepers, Crag Martins and of course Peregrine Falcons…

Photographers & Artists

An offshoot of the popular and informative Bavarian Birds site, Stefan Tewinkel has published a new page to illustrate the magnification possible with a digital camera in combination with binoculars or scope - the increasingly popular art of digiscoping…